Bath’s Midland Bridge has re-opened – a week ahead of schedule.
Over the past seven months Bath & North East Somerset Council has spent £1 million refurbishing the historic structure to ensure its longevity.
The bridge supports the important B3118 Midland Bridge Road link from the Lower Bristol Road to the Pinesway gyratory into Bath city centre at Green Park.
Councillor Anthony Clarke (Conservative, Lansdown), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Midland Bridge is an extremely important link to the city; the refurbishment was vital to ensure its future integrity and prolong its serviceable life.”
The refurbishment works involved removing the existing paint coating to all steelwork, replacing the bridge deck waterproofing membrane and movement joints, undertaking repairs and re-painting to restore the structure to its former glory. During the work, 150 tonnes of grit was used to blast the metal surfaces, 160 tonnes of scaffolding was erected and 1,800 litres of paint used.
The works were carried out in collaboration with Raymond Brown Construction Limited following a competitive tender process.
Councillor Tim Warren (Conservative, Mendip), Leader of the Council said: “One of our administration’s top priorities is to improve local transport – making it easier for residents, businesses and visitors to get around our area. The work carried out on Midland Bridge will ensure it serves the city well into the future.”
The steel lattice girder bridge was originally installed in 1905 by the Corporation of the City of Bath, and was opened on 12th December 1905 by Alderman A. Taylor.
Councillor Warren, Councillor Clarke and Kevin Valentine, Divisional Director at Raymond Brown Construction will officially reopen Midland Bridge at 4pm on 1 October. Following the ceremony traffic management will be removed from the bridge and it will be fully reopened to traffic on Friday 2 October, a week ahead of schedule.
